The EU and Mercosur are finalizing a possible deal between peasant protests
France, Hungary and Ireland have publicly said that they will reject the treaty, but in the last few hours Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has declared that they have welcomed the latest European Commission release.
Except for last-minute surprises, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is today resuming the debate on the signing of a free trade agreement with the countries of Mercosur , which was concluded more than a year ago but which is awaiting ratification by France, Ireland, Hungary and Italy, which have been wary of it, but which in the last few hours seems to have lessened its position.
In this context, the ambassadors of the Member States to the European Union plan to adopt, in this first step, what the Council and the European Parliament agreed in December to 'strengthen protection against European farmers in the face of the serious consequences that the treaty may have on their activities'.
Thus, if this first decision succeeds, the ambassadors shall proceed at the same meeting to order Von der Leyen to sign an agreement and a free trade treaty on behalf of the 27 countries. These texts will be adopted by the bloc with the supportof at least 15 countries, 65% of the EU population.
In a final attempt at persuasion, Brussels last Wednesday brought together EU agriculture ministers to propose 'new measures to help the sector', including financial aid of up to EUR 45 billion. Brussels' offer, however, has not calmed the peasant protests.
After the meeting, France, Hungary and Ireland have publicly said that they will reject the agreement, but in the last few hours Italian Foreign Minister , Antonio Tajani, has said that they have welcomed the latest endorsement by the European Commission.
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